SWANTON, Ohio — Residents in and around the Hillsboro area may hear or see fighter jets in the skies as the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing conducts an air defense exercise starting Monday, October 21, through Thursday, October 24, between 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
As part of the exercise, fighter jets will be in close proximity to a Civil Air Patrol aircraft acting as a “Track of Interest” (TOI), a term used to describe an aircraft identified as a potential threat. The purpose of the exercise is to test and evaluate response and coordination procedures in the event of such a scenario.
F-16 fighter jets will be taking off and landing, potentially with the use of flares, until around 10:00 p.m. each night.
The sounds of freedom may be heard across the region as the jets soar through the skies. Residents are advised not to be alarmed by the increased activity.